December 4, 2010 - India's largest cigarette firm ITC, maker of India Kings, Gold Flake and Navy Cut, has stopped production at all its manufacturing units in view of uncertainty over pictorial warnings to be carried on tobacco products starting this month. The company said there was no clarity on types of warnings to be carried on the packages. ITC has stopped production at all five units located across India since yesterday. Confirming the development an ITC spokesperson said, "Units (for making cigarettes) are shut because of the ambiguity in pictorial warnings to be carried from December 1 onwards."

Tobacco giant ITC today plunged by 3.5 per cent in the early trade on BSE after the company said it has halted production of cigarettes at all its manufacturing units in view of uncertainty over pictorial warnings. (ITC scrip down 3.5% on news of production halt, Press Trust of India / Mumbai, Business Standard, 12/3/2010.)

According to industry sources, even Godfrey Phillips India (GPI), the country's second largest cigarette maker after ITC that owns brands like Four Square, Red and White and Cavanders, has stopped production.

Companies making cigarettes and bidis have been forced to close down production due to the uncertainty regarding the warning," Tobacco Institute of India director Udayan Lall said.

He said the companies had written a letter to the ministry seeking clarity on the the kind of pictorial warnings to be carried on packs, but no clarity has emerged from the government on the same. "We have not received any response so far," Lall added.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had notified in May this year that all tobacco product packages in the country must carry pictorial health warnings depicting a cancer-stricken mouth etc., from December 1, 2010.

Cigarette manufacturers want the duration of each warning to be fixed for at least 2-3 years. Sources said the health ministry would now review the situation on the behest of leading cigarette manufacturers.India is the world's second-largest producer and consumer of tobacco behind China, according to the American Cancer Society and the World Lung Foundation. An estimated 241 million people in India use tobacco in some form. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine published in February 2008 estimated that one in 10 deaths in India from 2010 onwards would be smoking-related. Tobacco use kills a million Indians every year, according to the Cancer Foundation of India.

In October 2008, India widened an existing, but poorly enforced ban on smoking in public places and prohibited the sale of tobacco products near schools and hospitals -- but the regulations are still flouted in many places.

December 4, 2010 - The European Union (EU) is proposing a full-scale ban on branded cigarettes, forcing tobacco companies across the continent to sell their products in generic, plain packaging. Under the new rules, packs would carry nothing more than a health warning and the name of the brand, both in a standardized format with a specified typeface. Since cigarette advertising was outlawed across Europe in 2003, packaging -- known as "the silent salesman" -- has been the only way for cigarette manufacturers to keep their brands in the spotlight.

Opponents of the move have until December 15 to make their case heard, with a decision expected in February, 2011. Even if the EU decides in favor of plain packaging, it could take another five years before the law comes into effect -- especially if the tobacco companies carry out their threat to make a legal challenge against the ruling.

But the Tobacco Manufacturers Association said, "We do not believe any plans for plain packaging are based on sound public policy, nor any compelling evidence."

The International Advertising Association (IAA) has written to the EU to argue against the prohibition of on-pack cigarette branding. Erich Buxbaum, VP and area director for Europe, said, "All brands are registered trademarks. This could lead into a vast legal process -- companies will sue the EC. They pay a lot of money every year for their trademarks."Imperial Tobacco, manufacturer of cigarette brands including Davidoff, JPS, Gitanes and Gauloises Blondes, called plain packs "unnecessary, unreasonable and unjustified." In a statement the company said, "Governments that consider introducing plain packaging risk breaching a range of legal and treaty obligations relating to intellectual property rights, international trade and European Union law."

Anne Edwards, director external communications, Philip Morris International, said, "To date every country that has considered plain packaging has rejected it due to lack of evidence and associated [intellectual property] issues. Even in Australia ... the government's own intellectual property body, IP Australia, recently advised ... that plain packaging 'may not be consistent with Australia's intellectual property treaty obligations' and 'would make it easier for counterfeit goods to be produced and would make it difficult to readily identify these counterfeit goods.'"

The counterfeit issue was also raised by Mr. Buxbaum, who claimed that 10% of all trade in Europe is in counterfeit goods. Illicit cigarettes, he said, deny significant revenues to European governments, most of which claim 50% of the sale price in tax, and -- according to the IAA letter -- "come with no guarantee about the ingredients and product safety."

However, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), a campaigning public-health charity in the U.K., said it has heard all these arguments before. Martin Dockrell, the organization's director of research and policy, said, "The tobacco companies used the same arguments against the tobacco advertising ban. They still retain their rights over their logos -- but it doesn't mean they can use them however they like. They can't use them on billboards and soon they won't be able to use them on packaging."

Mr. Dockrell said that unbranded packs would not lead to an increase in smuggling. He argued that branded and unbranded packs are equally easy for counterfeiters to replicate.

As well as the introduction of unbranded packaging, the EU is also considering a ban on in-store cigarette displays and on cigarette vending machines.

The IAA has chosen to concentrate its efforts on a protest against the packaging ban. Mr Buxbaum said, "I don't want to become a spokesman for the tobacco industry. I am concentrating on the packaging issue because plain packaging would kill branding." The IAA has no tobacco companies as members in Europe, although it does have a couple in the U.S.

Independent of the EU, the English parliament voted last year in favor of a ban on the display of tobacco products in shops in England. Larger shops will have to comply by 2011, while smaller shops will have until 2013. However, a change of government in May means that the new legislation is not guaranteed to go ahead. (UK government could scrap tobacco control plans..)

Susan Ivey announced that she would retire from Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) after nearly 30 years in the tobacco industry. Ivey, 51, has retired as chairwoman on October 31, 2010 and will retire as chief executive, president and member of the board of directors on February 28, 2010.The Reynolds board named Daniel “Daan” Delen, 44, to succeed her as president, chief executive and board member, effective January 1, 2011. The board elected Thomas Wajnert, 67, as a non-executive chairman, effective November 1, 2010 . He has been the board’s lead director since 2008. The company said that Ivey plans to move to Florida to be near family and to spend more time traveling with her husband, Russell Cameron, who is already retired. (Reynolds American Inc - Susan Ivey, Ms. Everything, to retire..)

Reynolds American Inc. has elected John P. Daly, chief operating officer of British American Tobacco PLC. (BAT), to the RAI board of directors.

Back in August 2010 Reynolds American Inc. said that Nicandro Durante, the chief operating officer (COO) of British American Tobacco PLC (BAT), will resign from the Reynolds board of directors, effective December 1, 2010. In June, Durante was named by BAT, as the heir apparent to its chief executive post. He will take over as chief executive in late February 2011 when Paul Adams retires. Durante will become chief executive designate on September 1, 2010 BAT said.

Protest over unpaid tobacco subsidies.. December 3, 2010 - Thousands of tobacco-growers gathered in front of the building of the Bulgarian Parliament to request more state subsidies as the legislative body debates on second reading the state budget for 2011. Minister of Agriculture Miroslav Naydenov came out to answer to protesters' demands, saying he worked hard to ensure a BGN 140 M of state aid for the sector. He added that should budget 2011 outperform, tobacco-producers will receive an additional BGN 70 M mid-year 2011.

Click to enlarge.. December 3, 2010 - British American Tobacco (BAT) Korea released "Dunhill Orient" this week as a limited edition. Dunhill is BAT’s primary king-size brand in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

BAT Korea said Wednesday, December 1st that the new product will definitely gain popularity in the market thanks to its expert blending aimed at offering a distinct, subtle aroma featuring a rare oriental blend from the fine leaves grown in the mountainous regions of Greece.

"Dunhill Orient is expected to provide Korean adult smokers with the finest quality tobacco full of an aromatic taste," BAT Korea Marketing Executive Director Guy Meldrum said in a statement. "We hope consumers can truly taste and feel the smooth yet rich flavor while enjoying a moment of indulgence with Dunhill Orient." Dunhill Orient is available in three tar amounts of 6 milligrams, 3 milligrams and 1 milligram at the price of 2,500 won a pack.

British American Tobacco (BAT) Korea released a limited edition menthol product called Dunhill Freeze in July 2009. BAT Korea Managing Director Guy Meldrum said in a press release at that time, "This summer, Dunhill Freeze has been specially designed to offer our consumers a truly cooling experience. "It's a combination of high mentholation and Dunhill's distinctive rich flavor in this new icy pack emits the unique, intense chilling sensation." (BAT Korea Releases New Product, by Kim Tae-gyu Staff Reporter, Korea Times, 6/30/2009.

December 3, 2010 - A study of ancient bodies has determined that cancer is a man-made disease, one fueled by the excesses. Tumors turn out to be extremely rare until very recent times, when pollution and poor diet became issues.

Researchers analyzed potential references to the disease in classical literature, and also searched for signs in the fossil record and in mummified bodies. But despite examining tissue from hundreds of Egyptian mummies, they confirmed only one case of cancer

According to the Daily Mail (see sources below):"Dismissing the argument that the ancient Egyptians didn't live long enough to develop cancer, the researchers pointed out that other age-related disease such as hardening of the arteries and brittle bones did occur. Fossil evidence of cancer is also sparse, with scientific literature providing a few dozen, mostly disputed, examples in animal fossil".

According to the latest statistics compiled by the American Heart Association, cancer surpasses heart disease as the top killer among Americans between the ages of 45 to 74. (From Dr. Mercola's comments..)

December 3, 2010 - RICHMOND, Va. & WINSTON-SALEM, N.C -- Both Altria Group Inc. and Reynolds American Inc. have confirmed an eight-cents-per-pack price increase on all Philip Morris USA and R.J. Reynolds (RJR) cigarette brands. The PM USA increase is effective with shipments on December 6, and the RJR increase kicks in the next day.

December 2, 2010 - - Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) today, December 2nd announced a nationwide launch at the middle of January 2011 of Mild Seven D-SPEC One 100's Box in Japan, a new addition to the Mild Seven line, the brand with the highest share of domestic tobacco sales(*1). Since its launch in June 1977, Mild Seven has been a favorite with many of our consumers and one of the few truly major brands. In 1978 it reached the No.1 slot(*1) in the share of domestic tobacco sales, a position it has kept for over 30 years.

JT has announced that the packages of 12 box-type products in non-menthol category of Mild Seven will be getting a makeover and will be sold in round corner boxes.Gradual changeover is scheduled depending on the products' tar levels. Changes in five low-tar products ranging from 1mg to 3mg tar are planned after the middle of February 2011 and in seven medium/high-tar products ranging from 6mg to 10mg tar are planned after the middle of May 2011.

Mild Seven Impact One 100's Box and Mild Seven D-SPEC Super Lights Box will be getting not only a makeover to round corner boxes but package design changes.

December 2, 2010 - As a smoking ban came into force at 131 bus terminals yesterday, December 1st members of the public were still lighting up and pleading ignorance.Those smoking or carrying a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe at 129 open air and two covered public transport facilities are now liable to a HK$1,500 (193.16 USD) fixed-penalty notice. Despite no-smoking signs and maps highlighting the smoke-free zones, many passengers failed to notice and lit up anyway.

The Department of Health said it hopes the extension of the smoking ban will further protect the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

A smoker waiting at a bus terminal near Wan Chai pier said he did not know anything about the new rules. Another traveler thought he could smoke in any open area.

The ban is being implemented in phases with a total of 54 indoor and 48 covered public transport facilities first being affected from January 1, 2007, and September 1, 2009, respectively. More than 15,000 summonses and 8,000 fixed-penalty notices were issued to offenders from January 2007 to October this year by the Tobacco Control Office.

For example: a smoking ban at six types of listed establishments will take effect on July 1, 2009 in accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap 371). These establishments are bars, clubs, night-clubs, bathhouses, massage establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises. (Hong Kong - total smoking ban in effect - Wednesday, July 1, 2009..)Separately, at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court a 49-year-old man was sentenced to 80 hours' community service for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector and obstructing a public officer in a no smoking area. The man was found smoking at an amusement arcade in Wong Tai Sin on October 6 and assaulted the officer from the inspection team. STAFF REPORTER

December 2, 2010 - The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) is asking cigarette maker RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. to stop a promotional campaign for Camel cigarettes that the group says appeals to young people. In a November 23 letter the group said Reynolds' "Break Free Adventure" campaign has substantial youth appeal and may encourage underage tobacco use.

"We are concerned that this advertising campaign is using aspects of popular culture, including independent music, art, motor sports, and 'hip' or countercultural attitudes, to advertise Camel cigarettes in a way that is appealing to young people's psychological needs for rebelliousness, sensation-seeking, and risk-taking," the group reportedly said in a Nov. 23 letter.

The attorneys general compare Camel's "Break Free Adventure" promotion to its iconic Joe Camel campaign, which landed R.J. Reynolds in court in 1998 for marketing to children and young people. To comply with the courts ruling, the company took the cartoonish images off the pack."Joe Camel may have been put out to pasture, but his spirit lives on in R.J. Reynolds' latest marketing campaign that once again tries to make Camel cigarettes cool, fun and rebellious - and appealing to kids," wrote Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "It is deeply disturbing that RJR is using the good name and hard-earned reputation of these great American cities to market deadly and addictive cigarettes, especially in a way that blatantly appeals to children."

Vending machine operators are considering an appeal, saying the death of their multimillion-pound industry will lead to mass redundancies. Imperial Tobacco plans to appeal against a ruling by the High Court which upheld the Government's plan to ban vending machines in order to stop children buying cigarettes. (Imperial plans to fight cigarette vending ban by John Aston, Independent.co.uk, 12/2/2010)

The National Association of Cigarette Machine Operators (NACHO) argued there was absolutely no need to impose the ban as it had designed and developed a fail-safe radio frequency system which "locked" machines and prevented minors from making a purchase.

But a judge ruled against the operators. Sir Anthony May, president of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court, said it was well known that Government legislative policy in recent years was to discourage people from smoking tobacco and "to take progressive measures to reduce its harmful and destructive effect". He declared: "In the present case, the ban was appropriate to attain the legislative aim which I have identified, and did not go beyond what was necessary, given the Parliamentary judgment that a scheme for age restriction technology was inadequate."

The judge rejected an application by Sinclair Collis Ltd, a subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco Ltd, seeking to overturn the proposed ban, due to be introduced on October 1 2011. The application was supported by members of NACHO. Sinclair Collis challenged the legality of provisions of the Health Act 2009 and the Protection from Tobacco (Sales from Vending Machines) Regulations 2010. Dinah Rose QC, for the company, argued both the Act and the regulations contravened EU (European Union) law.

The judge said it was obvious that measures aimed at reducing smoking were likely to damage businesses or individuals who made money out of the manufacture or sale of cigarettes. The proposed ban would adversely affect about 50,000 vending machines in the UK and some 550 people directly employed in the industry, with several hundred more employed by suppliers. Sinclair Lewis owned about 20,000 machines, with the rest owned by independent operators.

The judge said cigarettes from machines cost substantially more than those sold in shops or supermarkets, and a vending machine in a pub could provide the publican with an annual royalty of £300-£700. The machines also provided a secure point of sale in hotels, bars, nightclubs and bingo halls. Estimated turnover of the industry in 2004 was £434 million, although there was clear evidence that it had declined significantly since then, said the judge. NACHO had estimated that the annual gross margin of the industry was approximately £102 million.

But the judge ruled the general interest in domestic and EU law in the protection of human health meant the ban was "neither manifestly unreasonable or inappropriate".

Click to enlarge..December 1, 2010 - Tobacco companies call them "replacement smokers." You call them your children. Either way, area kids are being targeted by cigarette makers with a massive amount of advertising in local stores according to a survey released today by Tri-County Tobacco Free Programs, the Reality Check Program and the American Cancer Society.

Stores were randomly selected from a list of retailers licensed to sell tobacco in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties and 21 stores were visited during the month of October. Key findings of the Tri-county observational survey, released as part of the community education effort include: 86 percent of stores featured tobacco product displays behind the cash register. 38 percent of tobacco ads appeared near toys and/or candy. 98 percent of stores surveyed contained interior tobacco ads.

Research in the U.S. and abroad suggests that exposure to in-store tobacco promotions is a primary cause of youth smoking. Nearly 90 percent of regular smokers start smoking at or before the age of 18. Very few begin after high school.

"It's shocking. We've been able to limit tobacco company advertising in mass media, but they've changed their approach and are taking full advantage of one of their last outlets to lure youth into smoking," said Mike Porpiglia, community executive for the American Cancer Society. "By invading stores with highly-lit displays and bright ads placed at kids' eye level, they continue to focus on our youth as their next generation of customers."In-store promotions are a major cause of youth smoking. A National Cancer Institute study concluded that exposure to cigarette advertising causes nonsmoking adolescents to start smoking and to move toward becoming regular smokers. Another study found young people are more likely to be influenced by cigarette advertising than by peer or parental smoking. A paper published earlier this year found a direct relationship between the frequency that a kid visited stores containing tobacco advertising and his or her risk of becoming a smoker.

Katie Thrasher, a 17-year-old Reality Check Youth, said, "It's crazy to think that so many stores have tobacco products or ads that are targeting children who look at the ads and think they're such a great idea. I have a lot to look forward to in my life other than getting hooked on death sticks, the tobacco ads are working against me right in the stores I visit on a regular basis."

As a result of the recent Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FDA law) and the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), retail stores are one of the last places where tobacco companies can expose kids to their advertising. Consequently, tobacco companies spend billions of dollars each year marketing their deadly products in stores. This is done by controlling dominant display space in retail stores and through in-store advertising. Both are typically found around the cash register, sometimes referred to within the industry as the "goal post" because it is the one place in the store where everyone must go. Tobacco companies also invest a lot at these locations in creating so-called "power walls," large appealing displays of products intended to attract the interest of customers.

"Most adults are unaware of the harmful exposure that in-store tobacco ads have on our youth," stated Laurie Adams, Tri County Tobacco Free program director. "The latest study regarding tobacco product marketing and our local observations confirm that our youth are being targeted by the tobacco industry. Parents and community members need to be educated on this type of exposure and take steps to protect our youth."

"Furthermore, we must never give up on the future of our young people, their lives are in our hands," stated Falconer senior and Reality Check Youth, Amosharay McDonald. "Let's lead them into a smoke free lifestyle."

Smokers who want to quit should log on to a newly created American Cancer Society web site - iwillquit.org. The focus of the web site is on living a healthy, active life. Visitors are asked to share their reason for quitting and are provided with resources and tips to help make their attempt a success. Additional support and help in quitting is also available from the New York States Smokers' Quitline at 866-NYQUITS, 866-697-8487 or nysmokefree.com.

December 1, 2010 - Tobacco Control Board 27 November, 2010 - Tobacco Control Act.. A person is allowed to bring into the country a maximum of 200 sticks of cigarette or 30 pieces of cigar or 150 g of other tobacco products a month. However, they should be 18-years and above and can bring in only one tobacco product at a time. They will be charged 200 percent sales tax and customs duty for tobacco products originating from countries other than India. Those from India will be charged 100 percent sales tax.

At the customs, the person should produce either a citizenship card, passport or a voter identity card. Following that the person will be issued a receipt, reflecting the details of the product and identity of the person. The receipt will be considered valid for a month from date of issue and the person will have to hang on to it every time he smokes.

Finalised by the tobacco control board yesterday, in accordance to the tobacco control Act of Bhutan, the rules will be put into “serious practice”, when the Act becomes operative in January 2011.

January 2011 tobacco control Act on: 200 maximum number of cigarette sticks permissible, 1 month receipt validity, 1-3 years prison term if caught smoking in restricted areas without receipt, 3-5 years prison term for smuggling tobacco products, Nu 500 (11.03 USD) on the spot fine for smoking in restricted areas, Nu 10,000 (220.56 USD) for failing to display signboards and notices, 200% tax for products from countries other than India, 100% tax for those from India.“Any person, who brings in extra, will be liable for smuggling,” Bhutan narcotic control agency legal officer Sonam Tshering said. This translates into a fourth-degree felony, which means a three to five-year prison term.

He said any person caught smoking in restricted areas will have to pay Nu 500 fine on the spot. “He will then be asked to produce a receipt issued by customs division, or else he’ll be asked to reveal his cigarette supplier,” he said. Upon revealing the source, it is evident the person was engaged in tobacco transaction, which is a misdemeanour, meaning a prison term of one to three years. If the person fails to reveal the source, he will be charged for smuggling in tobacco products, meaning another three to five year prison term, in addition to previous charges. “And this is non-compoundable,” he said.

While representatives from police, trade, customs and the agency will conduct the monitoring, cooperation would also be sought from institutions and other counterparts like hoteliers.

Sonam Tshering said a person operating public places and transport will have to display notices indicating prohibition of smoking.

“It isn’t compulsory, but they can have designated rooms for smoking with proper ventilation,” he said, adding that signboards and notices should be displayed in Dzongkha and English, accompanied by the no-smoking sign.

Failing to do so would result in paying a fine of Nu 10,000 for each incident.

Considering strong provisions in the act, agency’s executive director, Kinley Dorji, said implementing the act was going to be a challenge. “But we feel good about the overall intention of the Act,” he said. “That one day Bhutan will become a tobacco-free country, and our people will enjoy better mental and physical health.” He said that, along with the enforcement of the act, they would pursue a vigorous awareness program, starting with the vulnerable dzongkhags like those along the borders.

Sonam Tshering said notices would be issued to all dzongkhags (districts in Bhutan), gewogs, institutions and organisations. “We’re starting now because, if we’d launched our advocacy program earlier, people would have forgotten,” he said, adding after that, ignorance of law would be no excuse.

Britain is now the most obese nation in Europe. They have among the worst rates of sexually transmitted infections on record. Rising levels of harm from alcohol, and over 80,000 lives lost every year because of smoking. This White Paper marks the most fundamental shift in how we tackle our public health challenges since the inception of the NHS itself. (Paul Burstow writes… Healthy lives, healthy people by Paul Burstow MP, Libeal Democratic Voice, 11/30/2010)

December 1, 2010 - The Tobacco Board chairman has warned farmers against planting unauthorised crop. He said the farmers would not be allowed to bring unauthorised produce to auction centres. Speaking to Business Standard, G Kamalavardhana Rao said the board had allowed planting of 175 million kg tobacco for the next season. Though the board permitted over 170 million kg for the just-concluded season, the farmers planted over 230 million kg.

Stating that the board would not allow unauthorised product in any auction centre, he said, “If a farmer grows more than what he is authorised to do, his product will be banned from the auction centre. Similarly, if any farmer grows tobacco without authorisation, the product will not be allowed into the auction centre,” he said. Field Friends would make this point clear to the farmers in the next couple of weeks and ensure that no unauthorised tobacco was grown anywhere, he added.

December 1, 2010 - Nine out of 10 households across Northern Ireland would welcome a ban on smoking in cars with children on board, new research has found. Action Cancer estimates up to 13,500 children across the province could be at risk.

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland (click on map upper right), it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west. At the time of the 2001 UK Census, its population was 1,685,000, constituting about 30% of the island's total population and about 3% of the population of the United Kingdom. (Northern Ireland)

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and the Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride have both ruled out a ban on smoking in cars with children on board in the past. But Action Cancer, which commissioned the research, said the findings show huge public support for the move. Geraldine Kerr of Action Cancer said: “Children are one of the most vulnerable groups affected by passive smoking. “The effect of second-hand smoke on a child’s metabolism can be attributed to doubling the risk of sudden infant death, wheezing and meningitis. “In a confined environment such as a car, smoking just one cigarette can put air quality into the unhealthy category. That same cigarette will emit 50 times more fine particles into a car than those emitted by the car’s exhaust.”

Supporting information: Every parent wants their children to lead healthy and happy lives. There's an abundance of evidence that children are more susceptible to the negative effects of second-hand smoke (ETS, environmental tobacco smoke, involuntary smoking, sidestream smoke, passive smoking).

A spokeswoman from the Northern Ireland's Department of Health said: “The Action Cancer campaign will help to further highlight the dangers of second-hand tobacco smoke to children and young people travelling in private cars. “Increasing awareness of the harm caused by second-hand smoke, particularly to children, is very important in encouraging parents and other adults to make their homes and private vehicles completely smoke-free.”

November 30, 2010 - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (GOI)- the implementation of new pictorial health warnings becomes effective on December 1, 2010 from the earlier commitment of introducing them from June 1, 2010.

India ranks 100 among 175 countries surveyed on warning size and fulfilment of requirements for picture-based warnings on cigarette packets. Under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), an international treaty signed and ratified by India, the parties are required to carry health warnings on all packages of tobacco products describing the harmful effects of tobacco use. The warnings "should be 50% or more of the principal display areas, but shall be no less than 30% of the display areas", and include pictorial warnings. (India ranks a lowly 100 in campaign against tobacco, Kounteya Sinha, The Times of India, 11/21/2010)

November 30, 2010 - Lorillard, Inc. (LO) raised the list price for Newport (menthol only), Kent, and True by about 1.5% or $3.00 per thousand, according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. This is the third cigarette price increase of the year and highlights the pricing power of Newport, according to the firm.

Lorillard’s move follows Liggett’s $0.075 per pack price increase in early October on the majority of its brands. (Liggett increased the list price of LIGGETT SELECT, EVE, and GRAND PRIX by $0.60 per carton in January 2010, an additional $0.65 per carton in May 2010, and an additional $0.75 per carton in October 2010. (VECTOR GROUP LTD, Quarterly Report, 11/5/2010)

Thus far this year, LO has taken a cumulative $0.15 per pack in pricing on Newport (or 3-4%). UBS expect Altria and Reynolds American will follow Lorillard’s move in the near future.

�� No Change to Maverick - In this round of price increases, Lorillard left the Maverick brand unchanged. Maverick has been a source of volume share gains for the past several quarters. However, we note that Lorillard raised Maverick pricing by $0.045 per pack in February. (q3 2010 - Lorillard said cigarette volumes were up by 5.8% to more than 10 billion cigarettes, helped by gains of 2.9% at its Newport menthol brand and a 30.9% jump in sales of lower-priced brands such as Maverick. Lorillard - highlights q3 2010 earnings report..)�� Bullish Tobacco Pricing Thesis Remains Intact - UBS continue to see pricing as the key driver of Tobacco profits and stock performance. As we (UBS) wrote in our Q-Series® piece from May 25 “How Sustainable is Cigarette Pricing?”, we believe Big 3 tobacco is favorably positioned as the group continues to take market share from deep discount players who are struggling in an environment with a higher cost of business largely due to new FDA regulations. We (UBS) believe all Big 3 names should benefit from sustainable pricing, and we favor Altria Group and Lorillard.

November 30, 2010 - Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor, Ontario. The hospital CEO Warren Chant. "I was quite surprised," said Chant, who is quoted in the news release from the Ontario PC (Progressive Conservative Party of Canada) caucus, saying "'it is not an unusual practice' for hospitals to hand out cigarettes."

"That is totally taken out of context," Chant told The Star. The PCs claimed in a news conference that Hotel-Dieu distributes cigarettes to lure patients into its emergency department.

But hospital spokeswoman Luann Kapasi said what really happened -- until the practice was halted Nov. 4 -- was that mental health outreach workers bringing in a distraught, agitated person occasionally would take the patient outdoors and give him a cigarette to calm him down during a long wait in the ER. "If the person is a smoker and they're overstressed, they'll give them a cigarette," she said. "They're not standing out there handing out cigarettes to people, saying 'Come in to our ER.'"The program is called COAST, for Community Outreach and Support Team, made up of an outreach worker and a Windsor police officer who respond when there's a call about, for example, a neighbour who's behaving bizarrely. The team makes a visit and, if necessary, can drive a mentally ill person to the ER. The wait to see a doctor could take hours, and if the person is a smoker and needs a cigarette to calm down, it could be supplied. The smokes were donated by a native reserve.

Cigarettes are just one of a number of items that can be offered. Sandwiches, coffee, hygiene products and meal replacement drinks can be given to people described as among the most vulnerable people in our community -- people with acute mental illnesses who aren't accessing the normal community programs.

November 30, 2010 - Just last week the Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, read the budget on the increment of tobacco tax for health reasons, and also to better align with international agreements on excise duty on cigarettes, which will rise from 140 to 150 percent.

The Government has been urged to, as matter of urgency, increase taxes on tobacco products, especially cigarettes to make them expensive and help raise revenue to finance health related disorders in accordance with the framework Convention on Tobacco Control. (Gov’t Tasked to Raise Toll on Tobacco Products, Ghana Govt Official Portal, 11/10/2010)

Tobacco is known as very dangerous to human health, especially, to those who do not smoke. This is because exhaled cigarette smoke could be very cancerous, due to the tobacco content in it. It has been noted that tobacco is projected to kill over 10 million smokers and passive smokers by 2030, with 70 percent in developing countries, including Ghana.

Even though the Food and Drugs Boards and the Ghana Health Service are putting up measures to reduce to the minimum, disease and deaths caused by tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke, the government has taken the initiative of reducing the smoking of cigarettes due to the tax increment.A walk through the streets of Accra for views on the effects of the increment on tobacco taxes revealed that most of the bar tenders affirmed that they usually attract more customers, and even if the prices go up, they will still sell the cigarettes till their customers give up.

A bar tender at Feehi Valley Beach Hotel at Korle-Gonno said, 'Mine is to give out what my customers want, so if prices increase, mine also increases, but I'll decrease my supply, because I think they will also decrease their demand,' adding, 'I have been purchasing about 10 to 15 boxes every week.'

Meanwhile, a cigarette smoker spotted around Barca Spot at Mamprobi, told the Accra File, 'I am addicted to smoking, and if people addicted to cocaine can purchase cocaine with millions of cedis, I can also buy, because it is something I really enjoy doing.'

Moreover, most pubs and drinking bars assume cigarette selling brings a lot profit, because that was one of the reasons customers patronise their businesses.

The Accra File noticed that the cigarette packs had inscriptions like 'Smoking causes cancer' and 'Smoking hurts the smoker and people around,' but yet still, smokers smoke, and cigarettes are still on our markets, and the smokers and sellers have turned blind eyes to the inscriptions.

A smoker declared, 'We are all aware every smoker has got health problems, and for me, I have a doctor who attends to me, so I don't think I have any problem with smoking and the inscriptions on it.'

So how would the Accra File call it now, would the increment bring changes in smokers, or will it still remain as before?

November 29, 2010 - The Great Lakes region is on the Central coast of New South Wales (NSW).

Smoking is to be banned in council controlled outdoor eating areas in the Great Lakes. The local council has decided to implement the restriction to reduce the public's exposure to second hand cigarette smoke. The council's Ron Hartley says the ban will be gradually enforced at outdoor eating venues...

"It would be implemented gradually as leases are expired or renewed, council would insert clauses which required compliance with council's new policy," he said. "It needs some formalisation in terms of policies and written documents and that will be done over the next few weeks."

Mr Hartley says the council is trying to create a healthier community. "Well councillors are concerned about the impact of second hand smoke on people's health and it was seen as an extension of the restrictions that have been imposed on indoor eating areas. Council feels people have the right to dine whether indoors or outdoors in a smoke-free environment."

November 29, 2010 - Raleigh, capital of the state of North Carlina which is ranked first in the United States in the production of tobacco, considering a ban on smoking in city parks. Raleigh reported that the city's parks board unanimously approved a ban last week. The City Council has the final say on the proposed ordinance. Parks board member Rodger Koopman says he worries the ban would be difficult to enforce.

The City Council considered banning smoking in children's public play areas in 2007, but didn't have the authority to do that until a new law passed last year. The same law that banned smoking in most restaurants and bars statewide allows local governments to ban smoking in public places.

Mayor Charles Meeker says the ban is an outgrowth of the belief that smoking in places that affect other people is no longer acceptable.

November 29, 2010 - The National Clove Cigarette Community called for the repeal of a gubernatorial decree banning smoking inside buildings, saying the regulation treated smokers as criminals. This community said in a press conference Thursday, November 25th that the decree lowered the status of law-abiding cigarette smokers to that of criminals who had to be socially exiled. “For us, the city administration has completely discriminated against smokers, who are clearly consumers of legal products and who deserve the same legal protection,” community coordinator Abhisam said.

Background: Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo announced on Friday, May 21st that a city bylaw to totally ban smoking in all public buildings would soon be finalized. If the ban is treated seriously, unlike earlier attempts to restrict smoking in public areas, Jakarta could finally join the growing list of major cities around the world that have virtually eliminated smoking inside bars, restaurants, offices and shopping malls.

As an interim measure, issued a decree to revise a widely ignored 2005 bylaw on smoke-free areas that mandated the creation of smoking rooms in public buildings.Under the 2005 bylaw, smokers can be fined Rp 50 million ($5,400) or even jailed for six months for violating the ban, but enforcement has been virtually nonexistent.

The revised bylaw, which still has to be ratified by the City Council, states that smoking areas have to be separated physically from any public building and cannot be located next to an entrance or exit door. This would replace the current system of smoking rooms.

The gubernatorial decree, which makes smoking inside buildings or even near entrances and exits a fineable offense, has been a sore point not just for smokers across the capital, but also the entertainment and tourism industries who believe it will adversely impact their business. Jakarta’s Environmental Management Agency (BPLHD), late last month said the ban would be enforced at entertainment and tourism venues, offices, shopping malls, schools, health clinics and hospitals. (Full Public Smoking Ban, Ulma Haryanto, Jakarta Globe, 5/21/2010)

Pro-smoking advocates had previously alleged that anti-tobacco groups, and the issuance of the decree, were backed by multi-national pharmaceutical companies through the Bloomberg Initiative, and that their main goal was to bring down Indonesia’s clove cigarette industry. “Clove cigarettes are an Indonesian trademark. There is no other place in the world that can produce high quality clove cigarettes,” Abhisam said.

The National Commission for Tobacco Control claims 65 million people consume cigarettes in Indonesia, with the largest segment of smokers between the ages of 15 and 19. Of the total number of smokers, 65 percent are men, while 80 percent of smokers use clove-flavored cigarettes, or kretek. The commission also said that 70 percent of smokers in Indonesia were from low – to middle-income families.Indonesia - paradise for smokers and paradise for tobacco companies...